Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was Otto von Bismarck's strategy to solve the problems of the day?
What was Otto von Bismarck's strategy to solve the problems of the day?
Why was Germany able to support a large and well-equipped army?
Why was Germany able to support a large and well-equipped army?
Which of the following countries was NOT part of the Triple Alliance?
Which of the following countries was NOT part of the Triple Alliance?
What was the reason behind France's desire for revenge against Germany?
What was the reason behind France's desire for revenge against Germany?
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What was Kaiser Wilhelm II's goal for Germany?
What was Kaiser Wilhelm II's goal for Germany?
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What was the main reason behind Britain's naval expansion?
What was the main reason behind Britain's naval expansion?
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What was the main challenge facing Austria-Hungary?
What was the main challenge facing Austria-Hungary?
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What was France's main goal since 1870?
What was France's main goal since 1870?
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What was the name of the alliance formed by Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy?
What was the name of the alliance formed by Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy?
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In what year did Germany unify and become one country?
In what year did Germany unify and become one country?
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Study Notes
European Rivalries
- At the beginning of the 20th century, there were six major powers in Europe: Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
- France and Germany had a long-standing rivalry due to the Franco-Prussian war, where France was defeated and had to cede Alsace and Lorraine to Germany.
- Many French people felt humiliated by the defeat and wanted revenge and recovery of the lost territories.
The Naval Rivalry between Britain and Germany
- Britain, as an island nation with a vast oversea empire, maintained the strongest navy in the world.
- Germany attempted to challenge British naval supremacy, which Britain saw as a threat to its oversea trade and empire.
- Britain responded with its own program of naval expansion.
The Great Powers and Rival Alliances
- Germany and Austria-Hungary formed the Dual Alliance in 1879, a defensive alliance.
- In 1882, the Dual Alliance was expanded to include Italy, forming the Triple Alliance (Central Powers).
- The Entente Powers, consisting of Britain, France, and Russia, formed an opposing alliance (Triple Entente).
- Both groups were hostile to each other and increased their stocks of weapons.
Germany
- Germany was formed from many small states in 1871, united under Otto von Bismarck.
- Bismarck believed that military strength was the solution to all questions, achieved through 'blood and iron'.
- Germany's strong industry enabled it to support a large and well-equipped army.
- By 1900, Germany's industrial output had surpassed Britain's, second only to the USA's.
- Kaiser Wilhelm II aimed to build a powerful navy and an empire to rival Britain's.
Austria-Hungary
- Austria-Hungary was Germany's oldest ally, a large and ancient empire comprising many different peoples.
- The empire was difficult to rule due to the various languages, customs, and demands for independence.
- Many groups within the empire sought independence.
Italy
- Italy was the weakest of the Central Powers, unified in 1870.
- It sought new areas to colonize but had little industry, with Southern Italy being very backward.
France
- France's main aim since 1870 was to take revenge on Germany for the Franco-Prussian war defeat.
- France was building up its industrial strength, but knew it needed allies and resources to defeat Germany.
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Description
Understand the power struggles between European nations, including Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, and how they led to the outbreak of World War I.
